Ngā Kaupapa
What's On?
Aronui is a celebration of Rotorua and the people who live here, an opportunity for us to come together to enjoy a full schedule of entertainment which showcases the mauri (life essence) of what makes Rotorua unique.
We are blessed to have some amazing entertainers, artists and kaupapa Māori practitioners who want to share their talents with you as well as define why Rotorua is the heart of Te Arawa culture.
Titiro ki ngā kaupapa e whai ake i te marama o Mahuru. Take a look at all the events for September.
Pōhiri
Tuesday Sept 8th | 11am
Te Papa-I-Ouru Marae, Ohinemutu
Te Arawa welcome artist from across Aotearoa who have come together to celebrate the commencement of the second Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival.
Cost:
FREE
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Pacific Dance NZ @ the Night Market
Thursday Sept 10th | 5.30-6.30pm
Night Market Outdoor Stage, Te Manawa, Cnr Tutanekai and Hinemoa Sts
An Aronui activation featuring Pacific Dance NZ at the Rotorua Night Market. Enjoy two incredible performances from up and coming Samoan dance performers.
Cost:
FREE
Whiti Hereaka - Māori Writer's Talk
Tuesday Sept 15th | 5.30pm
McLeods Booksellers, 1148 Pukuatua St, Rotorua
Whiti will be reading the first chapter from her work in progress Kurangaituku. The
novel retells the story of Hatupatu and Kurangaituku from the bird woman’s point of view.
Cost:
$10pp
Aronui Program Launch and Exhibition Opening
Tuesday Sept 8th | 6pm
Penny Haka Gallery, Whakarewarewa
The Aronui Arts Festival team launches the 2020 program and celebrates the opening of a new Indigenous Group Show curated by Logan Shipgood.
Cost:
FREE
Taurite by Hawaiki Tū
Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sept 10, 11, 12 | 7-8pm
Matinee on Sat Sept 10th | 2pm
The Blue Baths, Government Gardens
Hawaiki TŪ present a powerful Māori dance work
‘Taurite’ embodying the virtue of balance and duality.
From:
$25pp
Ngā Kākano o Aronui - The New Works Project
Friday Sept 18th | 5.30pm
Monarch Room, Prince's Gate, 1057 Arawa St, Rotorua
Come and celebrate the seeds of 5 brand new works from the local and national musical theatre and theatre makers.
Cost:
$35pp
Te Toki o Te Arawa Mural
From Wednesday Sept 9th | 9am
(Wall location TBC)
A local artist paints a famous Te Arawa leader who has influenced the arts. General public viewing is open from Weds Sept 9th to Sun Sept 20th.
Cost:
FREE
Lockdown Soul Sessions
Saturday Sept 12th | 6.30-11pm
Te Whakaruruhau, Te Puia, Hemo Rd, Tihiotonga
The Aronui Arts Festival team celebrates the musicians who fed our souls during lockdown by beinging them all together live and unlocked. Featuring Rewa Ututaonga, Krissie Knap, Russell Harrison and more famous locals. Tickets include buffet dinner.
Cost:
$100pp
Aronui Māori Market
Sunday Sept 20th | 11am - 3pm
The Ruāpeka, Ohinemutu, Rotorua
Aronui Māori Market celebrates Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori Te Arawa styles with live music, arts, crafts, kids activities and of course, delicious kai!
Cost:
FREE
Arotahi
Aronui supporting indigenous arts development
Arotahi refers to the "fringe" events that are supporting the development of indigenous artists and performers.
Saturday Night Live by RBHS
September 11 - 19, 2020
Rotorua Boys High School
With a cast of majority indigenous students, Saturday Night Fever promises to be an fantastic production starring some of the best up-and-coming performing talent in Rotorua.
Official
video trailer
Mihi mai ki a Rosie Te Rauawhea Belvie and Matiu Hamuera who bring to life the essence of the Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival through our official video trailer. These two experienced performers tell us, while preparing for the video, they embraced the mauri (essence) of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother). Their performance also harnesses the wairua (spirit) of Te Arawa Rotorua ancestors, Hinemoa and Tūtānekai.